The first thought that crossed my mind while driving the redesigned Expedition was simple: “So this is modern Ford?”
And honestly, I think I love it.
The newest-generation Ford Expedition Tremor takes everything Ford and Lincoln have learned from their latest-generation trucks and SUVs and applies it to a full-size family hauler. The result is a vehicle that feels dramatically more modern than the Expedition it replaces, packed with clever technology and enough space to transport what feels like an entire soccer team.
Which Trim Level
My tester arrived in the new-for-2025 Tremor guise. It’s Ford’s answer to families who want everyone to think they tackle the Rubicon Trail on weekends. Luckily for those who do take a full-size SUV off-road, this is more than just an appearance package.
This package ditches the old Timberline name and brings distinct Tremor badging, rugged yellow accents, and just enough actual off-road hardware to keep trail enthusiasts happy. Under the hood is the high-output 3.5-liter twin-turbo EcoBoost V6.
At roughly $85,000 as tested, it feels solid, premium, and thoroughly commanding from behind the wheel.
New 2026 Ford Expedition Prices
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Retail Price
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Fair Purchase Price (92620)
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$84,495 |
$79,000 |
Favorite Feature
If I must pick one standout highlight, it is the thoroughly updated technology layout. The cabin is anchored by a massive, ultra-wide panoramic digital display. Uniquely, the driver’s display sits above the steering wheel rim rather than behind it, placing native Google Maps, crisp blind-spot turn-signal cameras, and even Apple CarPlay integration directly in your line of sight.
It’s an exceptionally fast, responsive, and high-quality screen experience. Controlling it involves an entirely new steering wheel, or should I say a borderline “squircle,” fitted with capacitive buttons that dynamically show functions on the display above while still providing reassuring mechanical clicks. In a world with technology being thrown into cars left and right, this is a refreshing, intuitive use case.
What It’s Like to Drive
Power from the twin-turbo V6 feels great initially. It delivers a healthy, aggressive shove right off the line to get this massive box moving. Once you’re up to highway speeds, however, physics takes over. It takes a bit of throttle and patience to get this massive barge around slower traffic. Fill the cabin with people and gear, and that extra heft becomes even more noticeable. I imagine towing a heavy trailer would require a healthy dose of patience as well. Even so, I’m glad the HO (High Output) version of Ford’s 3.5-liter EcoBoost is the only engine option for the Tremor, providing 440 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. Fuel economy is rated at 18 combined mpg with 4-wheel drive (4WD), which every Tremor has, and it doesn’t need premium gas, so the Expedition’s fuel costs are about average for a full-size SUV.
On the tech side, BlueCruise hands-free highway driving is highly effective. It keeps centered in the lane quite well, though its lane-change logic is a bit timid. Don’t expect it to slice through traffic with ease. You’ll have to initiate those moves yourself.
Interior Comfort and Technology
Passenger space here is genuinely generous. My 8-passenger variant proved perfectly comfortable, even when loaded down with eight adult males. Rear passengers get treated to 14 USB ports, which feels wildly excessive, but I’d rather count too many than too few. You also get deep cupholders throughout and an effective rear climate-control system.
There are some cabin trade-offs, though. If you opt for the second-row bench (required to reach a total of 8 seats), it completely lacks a center fold-down armrest. Move to the back, and the power-folding third-row seats are excellent, but they only work if the second-row passengers haven’t slid their seats all the way rearward.
Then there’s the motorized center console. It slides electronically forward and backward to reveal a hidden, lockable storage vault. It’s a clever idea, but waiting around while holding the button feels tedious compared to a simple manual sliding setup. Plus, if you slide it all the way back, it completely blocks the second-row middle-seat footwell.
As for the screens and driver displays, see Favorite Feature. I may have already used up all my praise.
Limitations
No vehicle is perfect, and the Expedition Tremor has a few design and ergonomic bottlenecks.
From an exterior styling standpoint, the contrasting black tailgate insert earned more than a few confused looks. Thankfully, the silver lining is the gorgeous dark green paint covering the rest of the SUV, which drew nothing but positive attention — especially with the Tremor accents.
Once inside, the shiny chrome edges on portions of the dashboard prove absolutely blinding on a sunny day. Furthermore, the premium B&O sound system is quite good once tweaked, but it desperately needs a 5-band equalizer. The standard 3-band setup isn’t precise enough to tame an overly boomy bass response.
And despite the hefty $85,000 price tag, I still found myself wishing for front-row massage seats, which are limited to the Platinum trim with the Platinum Ultimate package. Or you could spring for the Lincoln Navigator, but no Navigator has this level of rugged style and capability.
Key Considerations
The Ford Expedition Tremor proves that full-size family haulers don’t have to feel like appliances.
The tech overhaul is modern, the split tailgate is highly usable, and the cabin carries genuine upscale vibes. Just be prepared for a few minor quirks and a powertrain that prioritizes low-end grunt over high-speed urgency. Even so, it’s an impressively modern way to move people and possessions.
More importantly, it left me with a thought I didn’t expect to have when climbing into a giant 3-row SUV: “So this is modern Ford? I like it.”
